ShannonK

Home made mac n cheese.....my cheesy chicken speg. with slices of jalapeno.......

I think a lot of people order their SF syrups online, but I think they also have them at World Market and might have them other places. I don't use any of them.

My normal meals when I was first released to regular food were usually the following:

breakfast - scrambled egg with cheese, diced canadian bacon, and veggies (usually mushroom/tomato)

lunch - chicken breast, 2% cheese chunks, sometimes yogurt or some veggies (sliced cucumber is always good and doesn't seem to fill my sleeve up too quickly). I also sometimes do leftovers from the prior night's dinner so it could be taco meat with 2% shredded cheese, lowfat sour cream and salsa. Sometimes I splurge and do a few tortilla chips with it.

dinner - whatever I fix for my family, and I just eat the Protein part of the dish and try to avoid most of the carbs. We make a lot of chicken recipes, but also pasta/meatballs, steaks on the grill, etc.

What size are your portions?

Howdy!

Today is my one week post op - and I feel great! No pain or nausea, and I am going to the beach with my family today! I won't go in the Water, but I will enjoy the sunshine, sand, wind, and my family! I will also make sure I drink, drink, drink!!! I can't wait for some REAL food, - I pretty much am drinking 1 - 2 Protein Shakes a day (30-60g of protein) and about 44 oz of water......I am down 13 pounds from day of surgery.

Every day gets better!!!!!!

I was sleeved same day as you - and I am going to the beach today with my family! No Water, but playing in the sand and walking - love it!! I may not make it to a gym (I live on a ranch 30 miles from one) - but playing with my kids and going for walks are things I like to do!

Hey Laura -

I used no pain meds today and no nausea! I will take one tonight to get good sleep - I feel like a baby that has its schedule backwards!! You can't get good sleep in a hospital! I have had thinned potato Soup with some Protein added as well as a Breakfast shake - so probably about 35-40 grams of Protein today. I am doing good on my Water - just have to remember not to take too big of a swallow - gives me a brief sharp pain. My mom made me squash Soup also - so I have some flavors to play with. I am already DREAMING about the mushy stage - bring on the cottage cheese baby!!!!! And Bean Dip!

I am also going to go walking tomorrow......I will let you know how that goes.

First few days blow - but they get better pretty fast!!!

Day 3 post op - I actually slept in my bed last night, was able to get one Protein Shake down and doing well on my Water today. No nausea, but a little pain if I take too big of a swallow...I am learning my little sleeve!

I also had some home made potato Soup (abut 2 oz.) that was great -

Down 10 pounds already, and my tummy is softer as the gas is getting out...

My intestines are definitely awake and working!

I tried mixing the unflavored Unjury with grape gaorade - it was gross. The chicken Soup is the best!

Howdy!

So - surgery was MOnday, had to be at the hospital at 8:30 and surgery was to be a 12:00. Hubby and I went to my room and I got into my gown and footies. I still had a cough left over from my pneumonia, so I had to have another chest x-ray and a breathing treatment. 12:00 comes and goes and I don't get taken to the pre-op room until 1:30. Now keep in mind, I am totally freaking out now. Since my original surgery date (june 5th) didn't work out because of me getting sick, I started thinking maybe it was a sign that I shouldn't do it. Then I read an update on here of someone living their moment of regret at day 6! What was I doing!!!!! Couldn't I just lose the weight on my own? This is crazy!

I asked for some type of drug to help my anxiety - nothing! I was freaking out!

They take me back, hubby is left in waiting room, I get a shot of heparin in my belly, a scopaline patch for nausea behind my ear, and they start my IV in the meat of my forearm!!!! Never had one there before! They take me to the OR, I scoot over onto the operating table...I am thinking 'NO NO NO" and they put the mask on me and I am out.

I wake up feeling nauseous. The pain wasn't bad, just sore - and they gave me meds for the nausea....it helped after a bit. I believe surgery and time in recovery was about 3 1/2 hours. So I was back in my room around 5:00. I started on some ice chips because I was so thirsty. I had a morphine pain pump, no drains, no stitches......

I got up to pee and walk at about 7pm. I walked about every 2 hours (because I had to get up and pee). I only drank Water or ate ice chips in very small amounts. The hospital food (broth, sorbet, tea) went untouched. Then they cut me off of all water/ ice ships at midnight so I could do the swallow test the next morning at 8:00.

Warning: The crap you swallow for the test is the devil's elixir! I had to swallow 3 BIG swallows of the nasty bitter crap, turn 4 different ways, then lay on the table as they tilt you back so your head in lower than your feet- and I understand why they do that - but the nausea was the worst after that. That was the worst part of the whole procedure. Terrrible - but glad I did it to check for leaks. At this time, they tried giving me anti - nausea meds by IV, but my vein blew out and it hurt like hell! They wanted to poke me again - but I figured I was going to be discharged in a few hours, and I was drinking fluids, so I politely declined getting poked again!!

I am at home now...did sleep in the recliner and take a pain pill last night. I took prilosec this morning (I was supposed to get Nexium - but my insurance wouldn't cover it and it was going to be $156.00!!) and had to do some disgusting and painful deep coughing this morning. Still had some nausea up until around 11:00am, now it is a brief feeling that comes and goes. I am drinking my Water and have enjoyed the unjury chicken Soup (4 oz each time) twice now. My hubby also brought me some G2 grape gatorade on ice to enjoy. My tummy is growling and grumbling a little bit....but not too uncomfortable.

I haven't pooped yet - last solid meal was Saturday.....just can't wait for that!! I also haven't chewed up my Vitamins yet - might start in those tomorrow.

All in all - it was one of the scariest things I have ever done. I am glad (as of now) that I am through it and I feel like my new sleeved tummy and I are going to have to get to know each other. I am down about 5 pounds and my belly is still puffy and swollen.

I hope Ii have put in all the details.....feel free to ask me if I forgot something......

Laters!

Me!

I have to be at the hospital tomorrow at 8:30 and surgery is at noon. I am on liquids only today...and plan on drinking lots of Water to hopefully get a head start on hydration....

I am still nervous.....but when those negative thoughts start in, I remind myself of all the positives.....

I am also a little pissed that food is such a negative thing for me. I mean, I love it - we eat to Celebrate, when we are sad, bored, happy, etc....

And unlike booze or smokes, you can't just walk completely away from it.

So this sleeve will help me moderate what I have not been able to do by myself....and it kind of makes me mad.

Have any of you watched a thin person eat more than you do and shake your head?

Well, I know life's not fair -and this is the hand I was dealt. So off I go tomorrow to have most of my normal stomach removed so I can begin the journey to a normal life not limited by my size....

Sorry for the rant.....I love this site and the friends I have made. I appreciate the support and the fact I can vent my emotions....and know that many of you have felt the same way.....

I think I will go and have some broth now......

Shannon

Great blog - very helpful!!!

Thanks!!

Yeah - everyone down here that I know that has had it only stayed one night - but it is a good idea to have a contingency plan!! He also does not use a drain tube or staples on the skin.....

SO hopefully it will go well -

Thanks!!

Yay for you - you look great!! I bet you feel great!!

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feedback! My doctor uses 4 incisions and no drain tube. I will stay one night and do the leak test the next day before I go home. I have good support - and am a little bummed I didn't get my original surgery date! I am a teacher and start back to work August 20th - wanted to be at 100% by then!!!

Looking forward to continued support here and sharing my story.....

Thanks again!!

Hello -

I am having surgery July 2nd. I was supposed to have surgery June 5th, but ended up with my first (and hopefully LAST) pneumonia! I am a mom of three girls (ages 11, 9, and 5) and a husband that works offshore. He will be home for my surgery, I have help with the kiddos, I stay one night then go home - then he heads back to work a week and a half later.....

I need input from mom's about pain level and energy level.....what are realistic expectations?

Was it bad when you first woke up and got better every day? Am I going to be too exhausted to cook and take care of my kiddos a week and a half out?

Just trying to plan for help as needed -

Thanks so much!

Shannon

Hello to My July Sleevers! I am still coughing, but follow up x-ray shows my pneumonia is gone. I am having bronchio spasms - so fun!!!! Hope it's gone by surgery time.......NOw I have to go BACK on my Protein diet - again.....great......

So I need to be moved to the July Sleevers group! Started feeling bad last Tuesday when I went to the hospital for my gall bladder ultrasound....by Thursday, I had a low grade fever and went to my surgeon for a pre-op appointment. I told him I wasn't feeling well and had a cough. He listened to my lungs and said they sounded fine, and I was good to go for surgery on the 5th.

Friday - I head to the coast with my family for fun in the sun and camping at the beach. I figured the salt air would help with my cough.....By Sunday morning, I couldn't take it anymore and drove myself to the after hours clinic. 99.8 fever and almost my whole right lung is full of crap - PNEUMONIA!

SO now I have Albuterol breathing treatments, a shot in my butt, 750mg of antibiotics and codeine cough syrup.....

And a new surgery date of July 2nd.

I keep telling myself things happen for a reason - I will still have plenty of time to recover before I go back into the classroom, and I think part of the sadness is I feel so bad right now! NO energy, headache, cough and tired.....bleh! SUrgery after this is going to be easy!

Good luck my June Sleevers!! Hello July friends!!

Sooo - after hacking all night and being miserable, I go to my after hours clinic at 8am. I have a 99.8 fever, rattling lungs, and feel terrible. One chest xray later - I am told I have a bog pneumonia in my right lung. Dr told me he would admit me if I didn't look as good as I did, but had to promise to go straight to the ER if I get a high fever or shortness of breath. A shot of Rocefin, Albuterol breathing treatments, 750mg Levo something and codeine cough syrup...I am ready to get better. SO no surgery this week - try again next week,,,,,

I am scheduled for surgery June 5th. Tuesday I had a tickle in my throat and felt tired - no fever. Went to bed early, lots of liquids. Yesterday = had a nonproductive annoying cough, no fever, tried going to bed early and couldn't sleep. Woke up this morning coughing less and a little sore from the coughing yesterday. I have my registration at the hospital today and meet with my surgeon fro my pre-op. I am hoping and praying that he feels I will be well enough for surgery on Tueday. It's Dr. McDaniel in Victoria and he only does surgery on Monday and Tuesdays.....My best friend is off work to be here, my husband is in from off shore to be here - there are so many people that have scheduled their lives around me.....

I KNOW that I shouldn't do it if I am sick....but I REALLY don't want to go another week!!!

I wonder if he can give me anything for it to make it pass faster??

Feeling frustrated.....

You look great - I bet you feel even better!! I am wondering if you could message me some help.....I can't get pics to load! I use jpeg, I have a MAC - it just isn't working.....any help would be appreciated!

I am on Day 9 of 14 and the Magic Bullet blender helps a lot! I use ice, Water and 2 scoops of bariatrics Best or Unjury for 30g - 42g of Protein in 1 eight oz shake. I drink 2 a day and eat a high protein low carb dinner and I have lost 10 pounds.....

The crushed up ice make the difference for me....no ice= no good!!

I feel your pain...and have posted on here with similar concerns...but I have decided to look at it like childbirth! It's going to suck - but have great results!!!

I also read other's stories and think - if they did it, I can do it.....

I know it is the best choice for me....and yes, I am scared. But this forum is a great place to voice your concerns and have support -

Good luck!

I am right there with you! I woke up last night asking myself "Are you NUTS??!!" WHy would I cut out a perfectly good organ. I just need more self control, I can do it on my own, this is crazy! Bit for me, the truth is - I can't do it on my own. I know it will still be hard, but I am starting to think of this surgery as a back gate....that even if I try to mess up, it won't let me. I know, I know....any surgery can be "bypassed" - but I am talking about how easy it is right now to just walk into my kitchen and make a bowl of pasta....Not so easy later.

Good luck -

I understand your fears -

let logic help you.....

I have mine on Tuesday, preop Thursday, then Surgery Tuesday June 5th!!!!!!

I am on Day 4 f 14, and I have lost 4 pounds so far. I bought the magic bullet - LOVE IT!! I am using the powder my surgeon sells in his office - a Bariatrics Best brand. It has 30g of Protein in each shake. I should be eating a low carb high protein dinner....not doing as good on that! I am a work in progress!!! I feel like I am doing so good for Breakfast and lunch - a little carbs for dinner isn't going to kill me....hence why I weigh 300 pounds!!

SO I will try harder this evening - hopefully get through the weekend okay.

I can do this!!!